Alexandrou heads for APOEL

Cypriot UEFA Champions League contenders APOEL Nicosia FC have boosted their defensive line ahead of the second leg of their first qualifying round tie against Estonian side FC Flora by snapping up renowned AEK Larnaca FC defender Komis Alexandrou.

Natural all-rounderA natural all-round player, Alexandrou first started as a striker for the Larnaca club and even got an international call-up for Cyprus before switching to playing in a midfield role and finally a defensive role - in which he earned another call-up for the Cyprus national team.

New arrivalsAlexandrou joins fellow new arrivals Zaharin Sirakov from Bulgaria, Armenian international Romik Khachatryan, Hungarian striker Barnabas Sztipanovics and Nigerian striker Orosco Anonam at the Nicosia club, and the 28-year-old could not conceal his delight in signing for the Cypriot champions, saying: "I won't deny the fact that I have always wanted to play for APOEL."

Flora challengeAPOEL face Flora on 24 July at the GSP stadium in Nicosia and will be hoping to take advantage of securing a goalless draw in the first leg in Tallinn. A victory against the Estonians would send the Cypriots through to the second qualifying round where they would meet Slovenian side NK Maribor.

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